riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Taylor County Disaster Risk

Taylor County, Iowa

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

38th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#43

of 99 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

21th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Taylor County, Iowa

Taylor County's risk near the national median

With a composite risk score of 38.49 and a Very Low rating, Taylor County sits just slightly below the national average. This represents a manageable risk level compared to many U.S. counties.

Taylor ranks just below Iowa average

At 38.49, Taylor County stays just under Iowa's state average of 39.68, placing it firmly in the lower half of the state's risk distribution. Multiple Iowa counties rank both safer and considerably riskier.

Taylor balances safety with moderate risks

Taylor County's 38.49 score sits between safer Shelby County (22.77) and higher-risk Tama County (45.32) and Sioux County (52.39). It occupies a moderate risk position in its region.

Tornadoes present the primary threat

Tornado risk (54.26) represents Taylor County's main hazard concern, while wildfire (36.55) ranks second. Flood risk (20.87) and earthquake risk (18.51) remain relatively minor factors.

Basic protective measures suffice

Taylor County residents benefit from a standard homeowner's policy that includes tornado and wind coverage. Designate a safe room in your home and stay alert during severe weather season.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Taylor County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    54th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    37th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    21th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Taylor County

Risk Verdict

Taylor County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 38th percentile nationally. Even at the 38th percentile, Taylor County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Taylor County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 54th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 37th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (21th percentile), earthquake (19th percentile), hurricane (10th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado risk is Taylor County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 54th percentile nationally. For Taylor County households, the most protective action available is identifying a reinforced interior room on the lowest floor — a bathroom, closet, or central hallway away from windows. The secondary wildfire hazard at the 37th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Taylor County's preparedness calendar, since wildfire and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. A battery-powered NOAA All Hazards weather radio with an auto-alert tone is the highest-leverage single item for tornado preparedness in Taylor County, since it delivers warnings even when power is out and phone networks are congested.

Regional Context

At just 1.2 composite points from the Iowa average, Taylor County's natural disaster risk is closely in line with its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Taylor County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Taylor County, IA?
Taylor County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 38th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Taylor County?
Taylor County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (54th percentile), wildfire (37th percentile), flooding (21th percentile), earthquake (19th percentile), hurricane (10th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 54th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Taylor County risk compare to the Iowa average?
Taylor County's composite risk percentile is 38th, compared to the Iowa state average of 40th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Taylor County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Iowa.
Is Taylor County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Taylor County's tornado risk is at the 54th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Taylor County is at the 21th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Taylor County a safe place to live?
Taylor County's composite risk score of 38th percentile is below the Iowa state average of 40th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is tornado at the 54th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Audubon County

Iowa

+0.1

Very Low

39th percentile

Allamakee County

Iowa

-0.3

Very Low

38th percentile

Mitchell County

Iowa

-0.8

Very Low

38th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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